Apparatus for handling ballast in railway roadbeds



Feb.; 2, 1943. F. H. PHILBRICK 2,309,712

APPRATUS FOR HANDLING BALLAST IN RAILWAY ROAD-BEES 9 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 22. 1940 Feb. 2, 1943. F. H. PHlLBRlcK APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BALLAST IN RAILWAY ROAD-BEDS 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 22, 1940 Feb. 2, 1943. F. H. PHILBRICK 2,309,712

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BALLAST IN RAILWAY ROAD-BEDS l Filed March 22, 1940 Feb. z,\ 1943.

F. H. PHILBRICK APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BALLAST IN RAILWAY ROAD-BEDS Filed March 22, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 .Feb 2, 1943- F. HQ PHILBRICK l 2,309,712

i I APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BALLAST IN RAILWAY ROAD-BEES Filed March 22, 1940 9 snaps-sheet 5 Feb. 2, 1943. F, H, PHABRICK 4 2,309,712

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BALLA-sT 1N RAILWAY ROAD-BEDS Filed March 22, 1940 9 sheets-sheet Imam mv A um Feb. 2, 1943. F. H. PHIILBRICK APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BALLAST IN RAILWAY ROAD- Filedmarch 22, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet `'7 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BALLAST IN RAILWAY ROAD-BEDS Filed March 22, '1940. 9 sheets-sheets F. H. PHILBRIC K Feb. Z, 1943.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING BALLAST IN RAILWAY ROAD-BEDS Filed Marh 22, 1940 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Federated Feb. 2, w43

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING fl The invention relates to apparatus for handling ballast used in railway road beds.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine which is adapted to dig ballast from between the ties and rails to points beyond the ends of the ties, so that the ballast will become loosened, then convey the ballast to cleaning or screening apparatus for. separating the dirt from the ballast, and then deliver the cleaned ballast back to the road bed.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of this class which is provided with endless chain traction elements for propelling the machine over the track during the digging and cleaning of the ballast with means for facilitating the removal of the machine to clear the track and permit trains to pass.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of this class with elevators and conveyors which can be folded 'over the truck for transportation of the machine on the rails of the track.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combined machine for digging the ballast from the cribs between the ties and replacing the ballast into the cribs after the ballast has been cleaned.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

1n the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a plan, the front portion of the machine being broken away. Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, one of the elevators being shown folded over the truck. Fig. 4 is a section on line 8 4 of Fig. 2, illustrating. the caterpillar tread raised and the machine supported by the truck-wheels. Fig. 5 is a transverse section on line 5--5 of Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a section on line G--l of Fig. 5. Fig. '7 is a section taken on line 'I-l of Fig. 2.n Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 2. Fig. 9 is a section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 2. Fig. 10 is a transverse section on line Ill-I0 of Fig. 1. Fig. 1l is a section on line II-Ii of Fig. 2. Fig. 12 is a plan of the traction chains, the rear traction, wheels and the driving mechanism for said chains and wheels. Fig. 13 is a vertical section on line |3-l3 of Fig. 12. Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic plan illustrating the automatic means for controlling the drives for the chaintreads to keep the truck substantially aligned with the track-rails. Fig. 15 is a section taken on line I-IS of Fig. 12. Fig. 16 is a section on line lli-I6 of Fig. 14, showing one of the devices for controlling the chain-tread drives in its operative position. Fig. 17 is a section taken on line i'l-l'l of Fig. 14 illustrating said device in its inoperative position.

The invention is exemplied with a truck which comprises a frame a, built up of longitudinal and transverse beams, rigidly secured together to form a supporting structure and a platform a1 on said frame. The truck is equipped with an internal combustion motor b and a variable speed transmission b1 which may be of usual construction and controlled by a lever b2. Motor b furnishes power for propelling the truck; operating the ballast-digging mechanism, driving the elevator-conveyors for the ballast, operating the cleaning apparatus, and driving the conveyors for delivering the cleaned vballast, to the road-bed.

The truck is equipped with a pair of flanged front-wheelsc and at each side with a pair of flanged rear wheels c2 for travelling on the rails :c of the track. The axles of each pair of wheels c2 are journalled in side-frames c1. For supporting the truck from the road-bed at the outer sides oi' the track-rails, and propelling the machine while digging and cleaning the ballast, the truck is equipped adjacent each of its sides with an endless chain or caterpillar tread d which is carried by front and rear sprockets d1 which are rotatably supported in a frame d2 which is xed to the truck-frame a. The treads d are spaced apart to travel .on the end ties or road-bed on the outer sides of the rails. For raising the treads d off the road-bed when the truck is to be propelled on the track-rails and for lowering the treads d when the machine is to be propelled for digging and handling the ballast, wheels c, c2 are movably connected to frame a. The axle of the front carrying wheels c (Fig. 4) is connected to the truck-frame a by a. pair of links c. t The Wheel-frames c1 for the rear wheels c2 are crossconnected by a shaft e9 which is connected to the truck-frame a by a pair'of links c5 (Figs. 1 and 12). A pair of toggle-links cs (Fig. 4) between,

the axle of wheels c and the truck-frame a, is

' adapted to raise and lower the said wheels to rear of frame a.

pressure cylinder c", which is pivoted to frame a and provided with a piston which has its stem cl pivoted to the connecting pivot between toggie-links c6. Hydraulic. or other suitable fluid so that treads of wheels c, c2 will be lifted on the track-rails sulciently to relieve them of the weight of the truck.

The traction-chains d may be run onto inclined planks :c1 and lifted above track-level (Fig. 4) and planks may be laid crosswise of, and over. the track rails so the treads can be turned to run transversely oi! the track. After the links c are, shifted into folded position to lower chain-treads onto the road-bed the flanges of wheels c, c2 may partially lap the track-rails to assist in guiding the machine lengthwise of the track. By manipulating the driving-mechanism for the traction-chains hereinafter described, the entire machine can be swung to a transverse position and propelled of! the track.

A plow e is supported from frame a at each side and adjacent the front of the machine. These plows are located -to travel adjacent and beyond the ends of the ties and are provided to loosen the ballast and dirt in the road-bed in advance of the elevators for conveying them to the cleaning apparatus. Each plow e is supported by a bracket e1 which is pivoted to frame a and `is yieldingly held in lowered position by a link c3 which comprises a compression-spring le to permit the plow to yield when obstructions are encountered. Each 'link e3 is pivotally connected to a frame e4 which is vertically slidable on vertical bars e5. When the frame e4 is lowered and secured in locked position by screws e, arms e1 will be lowered to cause the plow carried thereby to penetrate the road-bed to the desired level. When the plows are not in use or the machine is being transported, frame e* can be raised to swing arm el backwardly and upwardly and support the plows above and clear of the road-bed Mechanism for displacing the ballast in the cribs between the ties transversely to the outer sides of the track is mounted on the truck frame a rearwardly loi.' the plows e. This mechanism comprises a series of transversely working tools I (Fig. 5) for digging into the ballast in the cribs and forcing some of the ballast transversely to Y one side of the track and where the material has been loosened by plow e at that side of the track, and an oppositely working series of tools f1 for displacing the remainder of the ballast in the cribs'to the opposite side of the track. These tools are pivoted to swing transversely of the track and mounted on a vertically reciprocable cross-head I. which raises and lowers the tools to produce their swinging movements and is guided in a frame im. The operation and construction of these tools and Vcrass-heads are the same as that set forth in my PatentNo. 2,082,594

to which reference may be had fori a more detailed description thereof. The mechanism for operating the cross-head I? to operate the digging tools f. i Ccmprises suitable gearing f which is driven from a shaft l? and is controlled by a clutch l* and lever f. The construction and operation of this mechanism are set forth in said patent. This exempliiles digging mechanism for displacing the ballast in the cribs between the ties transversely to the sides of the track beyond the ties and into the turrows cut by the plows e.

The machine comprises mechanism for elevating and conveying the ballast which has been displaced to the sides of the track beyond the ties to a suitable cleaning or separating apparatus. such as a vibratory sieve a before it is returned to the cribs between the ties and behind the machine. This mechanism comprises an endless chain-and-bucket elevator h at each side of the machine. Each elevator h comprises a suitable frame I 8 which is xed to a sleeve l! which is pivotallysupported so said frame can swing vertically and longitudinally of the track, a set of three endless chains 20, two series of relatively staggered buckets or scoops 2| carried by the chains, and sprockets 22 for chains 20 at both ends of frame i8. These buckets scoop up and elevate the ballast which has been displaced from the cribs beyond the ends of the ties and any dirt which may be mixed with it and the material into discharge spouts 23 which are supported on the upper ends of the elevatorframes I8. The buckets clear'a furrow at each edge of the ties as the machine is propelled along the track for the deposit of the cleaned ballast. Each spout 23 discharges material into a chute 24 which conveys it rearwardly and inwardly to the screen a located at the rear of the truck. This screen (Fig. l1) is supported by a pair of arms a1 and a roller a and is vibrated by cams g3 on shafts g4 which are driveny from motor b by mechanism hereinafter set forth. The dirt and fine material passes through the screen a into a stationary hopper a. From hopper g* the screenings pass onto a transverse endless conveyor-belt a for delivery to the right-of-way outwardly of the track-bed. The ballast which has been cleaned and from which the dirt has been separated is discharged from the rear end of screen a vwhich is inclined downwardly and rearwardly into a downwardly and rearwardly inclined chute a which is adapted to discharge the cleaned ballast into the cribs from which the ballast has been displaced by tools f. f1. Chute g is pivoted to swing laterally so that the ballast can be distributed into all portions of the cribs between the rails and the projecting portions of the ties. A vertical pivot-pin a on v a bail am supports chute g' and is supported in a bracket a which is iixedly supported on the truck-frame a. Chute a is pivoted at a to bail 01 so it can be folded upwardly when it is not in use.

Endless belt a' is carried by rolls 91 which are supported in a frame al. Frame a is removably supported on the platform al of the frame aso it can discharge the screenings at either side by brackets a and links a which are adapted to be connected to lugs al! on frame a. Whenv it is desired to discharge the screenings from belt a at the .opposite side of the machine, the frame a may be turned around horizontally after uncoupling links nl from lugs g and unbolting brackets a from the frame a and then attaching said links tothe lugs g on the opposite side and securing brackets a in reversed position on frame a.

Elevators Il are iixedly held'by chains 28 and 29 at the desired angles for operation and to cause the buckets to penetrate the road-bed the desired depth. These elevators are plvotally supported so they can swing into horizontal position and be folded transversely to overlie the truck-frame when the machine is being transported on the track. The sleeves i9 which are attached to the frames I8 (Fig. 7) are pivotally supported to swing vertically on shafts 51 which are journaled in gear-housings 3l which are each provided with an integral hollow trunnion 32 (Fig. 9) which passes through, and is journaled in, a bracket 38 which is fixed on frame a. A clamp 36 is adapted to secure a sleeve-extension SIB on gear-housing 3i in a saddle 36B to secure the housing 3l to support shaft 51 and sleeve I9 when the elevator is in its operative position. Each housing 3l is adapted to be swung transversely of the track on its trunnlon 32 by a worm-gear :i3/.fixed to said trunmon and a worm 34 which is operable by a handwheel 35. When the clamps 36 are removed, the sleeves I9 and the elevators can be swung upwardly and inwardly to fold the elevators over the truck and into position illustrated at the left-hand side of Fig. 3. The elevator frames I8 are pivotally movable longitudinally of the truck on shafts 51 to a horizontal position when chains 28, 29 are uncoupled from said frames or from frame a, for folding the elevators over the truck-frame. This exemplifies endless `chain-and-bucket elevators which are adapted to convey the material from the roadbed outside of the ties to the cleaning apparatus and which are readily foldable over the truck-frame during idle transportation of the machine on the railroad track.

The driving mechanism for the several elements of the machine comprises a shaft 31 (Fig. 4) which is driven by the variable speed transmission bl; a pair of bevelled gears 38 and 39 loosely mounted on shaft 31 and adapted to be alternately driven by and coupled to said shaft by a double-faced clutch collar 46 which is splined to said shaft and controlled by a handlever 4I; a gear 42 meshing with both gears 38, 39 and fixed to a vertical shaft 43 which is journaled in a fixed bracket 43a; a bevelled gear 44 fixed to the lower end of shaft 43; a bevelled gear 55 meshing with gear 44; and a horizontal shaft 46 to which gear 45 is fixed.

The shaft f3 for driving the digging mechanism through gearing f under control of 'clutch f4 is driven by a universal shaft 49 which is connected to and driven by shaft 46.

AEach elevator h may be driven from shaft 31 by a mechanism comprising a clutch 48 on said shaft and controlled by a hand-lever 49 and adapted to be coupled to said shaft; a sprocketwheel'5 driven by clutch 48; a sprocket-chain 5l driven by the sprocket 59; a sprocket-wheel 52 on a shaft 53 which is journaled in a bracket 54 and extends through the trunnion 32 of a housing 3l (Fig. 9); a bevelled pinion 55 fixed to shaft 53; a bevelled gear 56 meshing with pinion 55 and fixed to shaft 51 (Fig. 1) which is journaled in and extends through sleeve i9; a sprocket 58 xed to the outer end of shaft 51; a sprocket-chain 59 driven by sprocket 58 and a sprocket 60 driven by chain 59 and fixed to the shaft of the sprockets 22 at the lower end of the elevator h.

Either of the shafts g4 may be connected to drive the endless belt conveyor y6 through a sprocket 69, one of which is i'lxed to each of said shafts, a sprocket-chain 10 driven by sprocket 69, and a sprocket 1l on one of the belt-rolls g1 and driven by chain 19. A shaft g4 is provided at each side of engine b for driving the endless belt a when it is mounted to discharge the screenings to either side of the track. Each shaft g4 carries a cam g3 for vibrating the screen so that wheneither of said shafts is driven the screen will be vibrated. The chain 19 may be connected to either of the sprockets 69 to drive the roll g1 at the projecting end of the conveyor y, and in accordance with the setting of said conveyor. ing either of the shafts g4 and cams g3 comprises: a gear 62 fixed on shaft 31 (Fig. 2); a gear 63 meshing with gear 62; a sprocket-wheel 64 fixed to gear 63 and journaled on one of the arms of a bracket 12; a sprocket-chain 65 driven by sprocket 64; and a sprocket 66 fixed to shaft g4 and driven by chain 65. Sprocket-wheel 64 and gear 63 are shiftable .from one arm of bracket 12 to the other so that chain 65 may be connected to either of the sprockets 66 on the shafts g4, respectively, to drive conveyor-belt g when it is in either of its positions.

The mechanism for driving the chain-treads d to propel the machine during its operation for digging and cleaning the ballast, or when the machine is to be removed from the track, is driven from shaft 46 and comprises: a bevelled gear 14 xed to the rear end of shaft 46; a pair of bevelled gears 15, 16, (Figs. 8 and l2) meshing with gear 14; separably rotatable cross-shafts 11, 18, manual clutches 19, 19a on the shafts 11, 18, respectively, and which are separately shiftable by hand-levers 18B. Each clutch is connected to drive the central drive sprocket d11 of one of the chain-treads d; a clutch 8| which is adapted to alternately couple shafts 11 and 18 together to drive both shafts in the same direction from gear 16 while gear 15 is idle; and a clutch which is adapted to couple gear 15 to shaft 18 to drive the latter shaft in the opposite direction to shaft 18. Clutches 80 and 8| are simultaneously operable from a single lever 82 so they will be simultaneously shifted to either drive both shafts 11, 18 in the same direction from gear 16 and allow gear 15 to idle or to permit rotation of said shafts in opposite directions when clutch 8| is uncoupled from shaft 18 and clutch 80 couples gear 15 to shaft 18. This gearing makes it possible to drive the chain-treads in the same direction for propelling the machine. By means of clutches 19 either of the chaintreads may be driven independently of the other for turning the machine.

The mechanism for propelling the machine on i the rails of the track comprises a gear 83 which meshes with gears 15, 16; a universal shaft 84 driven by gear 83; a bevel-gear 85 at the rear of shaft 84; and a gear 86 meshing with gear 85 and xed to the axle 81 of the front pair of y traction-wheels c2. When wheels c2 are being driven, clutches 19 are uncoupled to idle the chain-treads d.

The machine is equipped with means for automatically uncoupling either of the clutches 19, 'i9a which are adapted'to drive the chain-treads d in the event there is any tendency from unequal resistance, to swerve the front end of the truck laterally to either side of the track during A the operation of the digging and elevating mechanisms While the machine is being propelled by the chain-treads d. For this purpose, the armature of an electromagnet is connected to shift the hand-lever 18a for clutch 19 and another magnet 90 is similarly connected to The mechanism for alternately driv.-

the lever 'I8 for clutch 'Il (Has. 14 and 15). When either of these magnets is energized it wlllshiftthelevertowhichitiseonnectedand unoouple one of the clutches ll, IP and discontinue the driving of the chain-tread d at one side of the truck according to the direction in which the machine is swerved. Each of the magnets 90 is included in a suitable electric circuit andeachcircuitiscontrolledbya switch which comprises a contact 92 which is fixed to and moves laterally with frame a, and a lever I3. Each lever Il is pivotally supported atontheframeisnormallyhelddisconnected from contact 92 by a spring II. and is controlled by the track-rails. Each switch-lever is provided at its lower end with a roller It which is adapted to ride on the inner side of the head of one of the rails z. The magnet ll for the clutch i8 for driving the chain-tread d at the right side, is connected to the switch I2. I3 at the left side of the truck and the magnet Il for controlling the clutch 'I9 which drives the left-hand chain-tread d is ntrolled by a switch Il, 93 at the right side of the truck. These switches are disposed adjacent the front of the truck. If the front of the machine. from anycause,isdeilectedtotheleft,thetransverse movement of frame a will shift contact l! into engagement with the lower end of the switchlever I3 on the left side of the truck, which isheld againstlateral movement by its roller I6 andtheleft handtrack-rail. Thiswillclosethe circuit through the magnet l at the right side of the machine which will shift lever 18* to uncouple clutch 18 and disconnect the right-hand chain-tread d from drive-shaft 1I. The lcft` handchain-treadwillthencontinuetobedrivenalonetoswervethefrontofthetrucktoward the right lmtil the chain-treadshave been brought into substantial t with the rails, at which time the switch-lever Il at the left-side of the machine will be disengaged from iucontactntointerruptthecircint through the magnet vIU for the clutch 18 at the rightlnnd side of the machine. The latter clutch will then be again coupled to drive the righthand chain-tread Vlz so that the machine will be propelled from both of theV chain-treads. If the machine is swerved to the right, from any cause. the switch-lever 93 at the right-side `of the machine will engage its associated contact l2, andclosethecircuitforthemagnetatthe left-side ofthe truckandisconnected'to clutch Il. I'hiswilldisconnectclutchllfromthe drive-shaft I1 so that the left-hand chain-tread willidleandtherlght-handchain-treadwillbe ldi'ivenaloneuntilthetr'uckisshiftedbacksubstantlally into longitudinal alignment with the track-rails and then the circuit through magnet Ilforclutch 'Iwillbeinterruptedandpower will again be applied to the left-mnd chaintread. This exemplines means for automatically controlling the chain-treads to operate independently of one another when the machine travels out of alignment with the track-rails dm'ingthepropulsionof themachine bythe chain-treads.

111e operation of the machine will be as `follows:

Invoperatiomtheplowsewill beloweredand theelevatorshwillbesecm'edinoperativepositionbychains, 28,asillustratedinFig.1 of the drawings. The truck-frame will be lowercdtobringthechain-treadsintopositionfor traction with the road-bed at theouter sides of verse shafts around which the elevators can the rail slowly propel the machine along the Theplonewillcutorloosenthe maatthe outer ends oi' the ties. 'I'he digging 1f will displace the ballast from the cribs beyond the outer ends of the ties where the road-bed has been dug up by the plows. The

In advancing the machine whileit is operating to displace the ballast and convey it to the cleanins apparatus. substantially theentire weight of the machine is carried by the chain-treads, thus providing effective traction for propelling the machine. At that time the weight may be taken oil. the wheels c, c'-', leaving their flanges eifective to guide the machine along the track.

When the machine is to be transported on the rails, theframeawillberaisedand wheels c,cn willbe --:::-withtherailsto1iftthechain treads o3 the road-bed and the elevators will be folded over the truck platform. By manipulation of the driving mechanism for wheels c2 the operator may control the travel of the machine over the track. When themachine is to be removed from the track the frame a will be raised to lift the chain-tread d above track-level sutilciently to permit the chain-treads to run onto planking laid on the rails and on which the treads canvtravel transvemely across the track, or the treads while lowered can be run onto planking placed in front of them.

The invention exemplies a machine which is adapted to displace the ballast from the cribbing and to convey the displaced ballast to apparatus for cleaning the ballast and then discharging the clean ballast back into the cribs as the machine is advanced over the road-bed.

`The invention also exemplifies a machine of this type which can be readily removed from the to clear the track.

The invention also exemplifies a. ballasthandling machine which includes elevators which can be readily folded over the truck when the machine is being transported over the track.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details aet forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I regard as new and desire to claim by Letters Patent is:

l. In a machine ofthe class described, the combination of a wheeled truck, power-driven for displacing the ballast transversely to the sides of the track, means for conveying the ballast, endless elevators, mechanism for driving the elevators comprising transswing vertically and longitudinally of the truck. and pivotal :imports for the shafts whereby the elevators may be folded transversely so as to overlie the truck.

2. In a machine of the class described, the

combination of a truck-frame. chaintreadsadapted to travel on the road-bed and at-tho sides of the rails, elevating mechanism. mounted on the frame,*mechanism for driving the-chaintreads, and means for automatically controlling combination of a truck-frame provided with."v

wheels for running on rails, digging mechanism for displacing the ballast, power-driven endless chain-treads for propelling the machine, mounted to move vertically with the frame and adapted to travel on the road-bed at the sides of the rails, toggle linkages between the frame and the wheels and means for operating the toggle links for raising and lowering the chain-treads and the truck-frame.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a wheeled truck, power-driven mechanism for displacing the ballast transversely to the sides of the track, endless elevators for the ballast, operative at the sides of the track,

and pivotally supported adjacent their longitudinal centers to swing longitudinally of the truck and to swing transversely so they may be folded over, and to extend longitudinally of, the truck, and mechanism on the truck for driving the elevators.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with a wheeled truck, power-driven mechanism for displacing the ballast transversely l to the sides of the track, endless elevators for the ballast, operative at the sides of the track, shafts adjacent the longitudinal' centers of the elevators for permitting them to swing longitudinally of the truck, said shafts being pivoted to swing transversely so the elevators may be folded over, and tol extend longitudinally of, the truck, mechanism for driving the elevators from said shafts and mechanism on the truck for driving the elevators.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a truck-frame provided with wheels adapted to run' on the rails of l a track,

power means for driving the wheels to propel the frame along the track, digging mechanism for displacing ballast `between the rails beyond the outer sides of the rails, endless conveyors' supportedv on and for Vertical movement with the frame and adapted to travel in vertical planes substantially parallel to the rails for elevating the ballast which has been displaced to the outer sides of the rails, power driven endless chaintreads lmounted on the truck frame. adapted to engage the road-bed between the elevators and the rails, and extending longitudinally of the rails for propelling the frame along the` track' while the elevators and the digging mechanism are operative, and means for raising and lowering the wheels for selective propulsion of the frame along the track by the wheels or the chain-treads 

